New Durham Railway Station

[upthesaukee]

Looks like the inevitable has happened. Restaurant has been in darkness all this week, and maybe even longer. Electric Marquee sign is off as well.

[shamrock]

:mad: My wife and I ate there twice [always give a place a second chance]
both times is was unsatisfactory

[shamrock]

:eek: Does any body know what's happened now to The Station in Alton.
Drove by there the other day and the Demolition Crew was there?????

[EAGLEEYE]

New Durham Railway Was Recently Sold To Johnson's Steak And Seafood - They Have 2 Restaurants, One In Northwood, Nh (rte. 4) -they Are Presently Going To Renovate The Bldg, Going To Run A Restaurant And Take-out. Very Good Food.

[BroadHopper]

It is too bad that developers with money to burn don't appreciate the old railroad stations. I love the architecture!
I'm not familiar with the New Durham station. Where is it?
I know of three railroad stations along the old Winnipesaukee RR that was between Laconia and Alton. Two are private residence and the third appears to be use for storage and is neglected.
I hear of talks of using the old railroad bed as a bike path that is planned from Franklin to Alton. Most of the old railroad bed along the Lake runs on the front lawn of big residences. I'm sure they will put up a fight about use of their land.
My Dad had a place on the lake off the Broads. The old railbed cut across the front lawn. The house next door was the original Brakeman's house. I have pictures of the train crossing the property.
At the time my Dad owned the property, there was an easement on the railbed. My Dad couldn't develop or build on it. The neighbors couldn't either. I'm not sure if the easement was dissolved, but the last time I drove by the property, the new owners built a cabana on the old railroad bed. Others have built residence on the bed. I don't think the bike path will ever be built. It will be nice to have. :coolsm:

[mcdude]

The New Durham Railway Station is right on Rt. 11 heading south from the Alton Traffic Circle after the Merrymeeting Marsh on the right. As you travel down Rt. 11 you can see here and there where the old rail bed used to be as well as some old stone bridges. I'm not sure that the present building actually was the old railroad station. If so, it has been added on to and added on to. As you head up the west side of the lake on Rt. 11 you can also pick out vestiges of the old Lakeshore Rail line. For instance there is a nice old stone bridge just south of Ames Farm. Here is one of the old stations that BH refers to and it is for sale!

CLICK HERE for real estate listing and more photos (http://www.spencerhughes.com/property/listings/Homes/NH/Alton/122837)

http://www.winnipesaukee.com/photopost/data/519/20IMG_5091-med.JPG

[Just Sold]

Dot's Lunch aka the New Durham Railroad Station was built (new structure) right after Route 11 was re-built and straighted out in the 60's. The old Rt 11 wove its way from the Alton circle behind McDonalds and crosses the present Rt. 11 in a couple of places
http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/12/12_7_19.gif (http://www.smileycentral.com/?partner=ZSzeb001_VSzeb00146US) http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/7/7_2_115.gif (http://www.smileycentral.com/?partner=ZSzeb001_VSzeb00146US)

[upthesaukee]

Here's an article in the Laconia Citizen about the renovations at this location. I am really looking forward to it opening up. They have totally gutted the old restaurant and looks like they are doing an "A-one" job getting ready.

Best wishes to them. http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/32.gif (http://www.smileycentral.com/?partner=ZSzeb001_ZSXXXXXX42US)

Here's the link: http://www.fosters.com/January2005/01.17.05/news/ro0117a.asp

[pmj]

excellent! I too am looking forward to the opening.
I only wish they hadn't mentioned the ice cream bar ;) :liplick: :liplick:

[mcdude]

Looks like quite the renovation....

[gtxrider]

I must be old I remember eating there when it was Dot's. :(

Well I guess we will have to try the new place. There is always time to eat! :liplick:

[upthesaukee]

You must be old, 'cause I remember when it was Dot's Lunch too! :( :(


(That's your frown and I call your frown.)

[gtxrider]

I was just a child when it was Dot's. :( :( :)

I raise you a smile!

[upthesaukee]

When it was Dot's, that was probably the best food of the group, basic but good and very reasonable. And I'll call your smile :( :( :) :) as there is so much to be happy about...once I can remember what the heck it is.

[Just Sold]

I'm old too. I remember when they built Dot's and when Route 11 was rebuilt and straightened bypassing dowtown New Durham.
Dot's did have great food. We would stop there on our way home from the lake on Sunday afternoon or evening.

[ghfromaltonbay]

Is the new restaurant open yet in the former Dot's? Looked like quite a renovation when we were up this winter.

[upthesaukee]

I drive by every day on my way to and from work. The exterior is basically done, but no telling how much interior work is remaining. The renovation was a total gutting of the building. At one point you could see almost from one end to the other, east to west!

There are ice cream (and possibly takeout?) windows in the front (4), with a handicap access ramp going from that area to the right to a front door area with steps also to that area.

I will be excited when they open...I have heard some much good about their other restaurants, especially the one in I think it's Northwood. Good food, good service, good pricing.

Bottom line, not open yet, hopefully soon, so they can work any kinks out before summertime arrives.

[gtxrider]

Has the old Dot's opened for business yet?

[upthesaukee]

Not yet...the sign is up..Johnson Family Restaurant and Ice Cream (I think I have it right:rolleye1: ). They have had a bevy of activity going on the last couple of weeks, and have had a "now hiring" sign (banner) in the front of the building over the past week or so. Getting close!!!!!

[PROPELLER]

I think that is the name of a restaurant/ice cream establishment on route 4 between Lee & Epsom. I wonder if its the same owners.

[Merrymeeting]

I think that is the name of a restaurant/ice cream establishment on route 4 between Lee & Epsom. I wonder if its the same owners.
From what I understand, the answer is "yes".

[upthesaukee]

You are both correct. I guess the actual name is Johnson Seafood and Steak located in Northwood. this will be the same name, I think.

[Dave R]

We eat at Johnson's in Northwood all the time. Great food, great service, friendly folks. I am very psyched to see one open on my route hoem from Alton Bay. We will eat there often I'm sure.

I ate there when it was Dot's. I was kinda young though. Also used to have breakfast at Ruby's which was down the road across from Dot's. That was quite the place.

[upthesaukee]

The parking lot has been repaved, the area to the right of the building has been fenced off with a nice post and rail fence, and it looks like grass is being planted. The parking lot is all painted, there are picnic tables with umbrellas out... I'm guessing it will not be long now!

[upthesaukee]

... And hello Johnson Seafood and Steak restaurant. See the new post regarding this restaurant opening on Mon Jun 27th.

http://www.winnipesaukee.com/forums/showthread.php?p=18381#post18381